Who is protecting you?

Power can be corruptive

Did you know that if your hairstylist exhibits towards you misconduct that you can report them to a licensing board? In my home state, it’s the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. Laws and statutes governing the practice of cosmetology are created by democratically elected legislators, in concert with industry leaders, and the laws are overseen and implemented by the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. You can also report your general contractor, your acupuncturist, your medical doctor, and your psychologist to specialized, independent, government-run boards that hover over professional licensees with rigorous accountability in the event they practice outside of ethical standards.

There are many practitioners in the spiritual and health arenas who have little to no accountability to an independent agency. These are persons who often lack professional training, lack professional licenses, and therefore lack answerability. While their intentions, reach, talent, and levels of misconduct vary, what they all have in common is the absence of outside protection for those with whom they are working. Some examples of unlicensed and unaccountable practitioners in spiritual and health arenas include:

· Life coaches